Unbiased beauty product reviews & tips

Affordable skincare from Merumaya

Skincare is my one true love and I am becoming quite the product hoarder. I rummaged through my stash and thought long and hard about my 2013 skincare favourites and I narrowed it down to these 5 products. These are what I’ve not only used the most but that I’ve also gone back to after trying other products.

I’ve been using this lip balm since August and found I can’t live without it. Dramatic but true. This is a pot of very hydrating peach coloured lip balm (its colourless on the lips). I put this on the last thing at night and wake up with what I would describe as soft kissable lips, I also have to have it on my desk whilst working so I can apply it when I feel the need. In fact, thinking about it, this little pot never leaves my side. The one negative is that it is in a pot and not the most hygienic, I do use hand sanitiser before sticking my finger in (germaphobe). The packaging is glass and feels weighty and quite luxurious but I do prefer tubes. £20 for 15ml

This is the mask I have used the most often in 2013, I keep it on my bedside table and apply it over my serum and pat it in. It is quite a thick consistency and only needs a small amount, as I find it can be too tacky on my face if I apply too much. It gives me a boost of hydration and makes my skin look plump by morning. It also gives the skin a barrier to help it prevent dehydration. Perfect whilst I have the central heating on full blast. I adore this mask, its results and not forgetting its fruity scent. £22 for 100ml.

I saved for quite a while to treat myself to this wonderful serum and I am so happy I did. This serum makes my skin so happy – that translates to looking younger, fresher, brighter and all importantly well rested. I love the process of using the pipet to dispense the serum, warming it up between my hands and then patting it on my face and neck. It feels cooling on the skin and instantly hydrated. I convinced my mum to invest in this and she is converted and her skin is looking fabulous. This is an investment but one I’m thrilled I made. £65 for 50ml.

I’m not going to preach too hard about this wonder product because I have blogged about this Balm so many times. I will say that this almost single-handedly cleared up my blemishes and kept them at bay. This balm as the name suggests melts away makeup and really gives your skin a deep clean. You don’t get that tight skin feeling afterwards, in fact, your skin feels soft and supple. I just love it. It’s a complete bargain too – £14.50 for 100ml.

This has taken the place of my much repurchased Garnier 2 in 1 makeup remover I’d describe this as a very gentle non-greasy eye makeup remover. I haven’t removed my lip product with it so can’t say how well it performs in that department but as an eye makeup remover it’s very effective. It even removes my Waterproof Covergirl Lash Blast 24 hour Mascara and that’s no mean feat. I want to try more from this Camomile range. £8 for 100ml

So they’re my 5 favourite skincare products of 2013 and apart from the Origins Mask the other 4 products are new discoveries for me in 2013.

Products that are marked with a * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.